Read Novel Full Chapter 844 - 13: Glass and Mirrors
Chapter 844: Chapter 13: Glass and Mirrors
Far away in the Swamp Prefecture.
In recent days, Zhao Yao has been very busy, staying in the backyard of the Prince Mansion, working with Zheng Cheng and others on making cement.
During this period, Zheng Cheng has been working with the craftsmen to make cement, but despite numerous attempts, they have not succeeded, always missing something. Zhao Yao revised several formulas, but still, they weren’t successful.
In the past two days, Zhao Yao changed the proportions of the formula and finally made it, but whether it was successful still needed to be tested.
Zhao Yao instructed the craftsmen to use the cement to build a wall, and in a few days, after the cement dried, they would try smashing it to see if it was solid.
Early this morning, Zhao Yao led Zheng Cheng and the others to the wall that had been built a few days ago.
He Lianfang, curious, also came over to take a look. During this period, Zhao Yao had been holed up in the backyard working on this cement, completely ignoring other matters. He wanted to see if this so-called cement was as strong as Zhao Yao claimed.
Zhao Yao asked the Guard Commander to take a giant hammer and strike the cement wall. The Guard Commander struck forcefully several times but did not topple the cement wall.
The people present were stunned by this scene.
Zhao Yao then asked another guard to help the Guard Commander strike the cement wall, but the wall still stood firm. Zhao Yao called a few more people and had them all strike together, only then did cracks appear in the cement wall.
Zheng Cheng and He Lianfang were shocked and speechless upon seeing this scene.
The scene went silent, and for a long time, no one spoke.
Zhao Yao was very satisfied with the solidity of the cement wall. He walked to the cement wall, raised his hand to pat it, and smiled contentedly, saying, "Success."
This word "success" snapped everyone present out of their stupor. Zheng Cheng was the first to react, immediately cheering, "Great, we’ve finally succeeded."
The craftsmen and guards came to their senses and congratulated Zhao Yao.
Zhao Yao turned to look at He Lianfang and smugly raised an eyebrow, "Uncle, how’s the cement I made?"
He Lianfang, expressionless, said, "Not bad." The cement this young fellow made was even stronger than he imagined. "This cement can be used to repair city walls."
Zhao Yao lightly nodded and said, "I originally planned to use the cement to build a wall, but I’ve changed my mind."
He Lianfang frowned slightly upon hearing this and asked, "Weren’t you making cement to build walls?"
"It was for building walls, but something’s still missing." Zhao Yao had just remembered that besides cement, bricks were also needed for wall construction. Bricks and cement are a perfect match, the best combination for stability. He still needed to make bricks.
He Lianfang hurriedly asked, "What’s missing?"
"Bricks are missing." Zhao Yao pinched his chin and said thoughtfully, "I need to make green bricks first."
Zheng Cheng’s eyes lit up immediately upon hearing the term "green bricks," something he had never heard of. He hurriedly asked, "Master, what are green bricks?"
"They are bricks used for building walls, but they are sturdier than the current bricks." Right now, all the bricks in the Great Zhou are made from clay. "Green bricks are sturdier and, most importantly, have strong frost resistance, do not deform or discolor. Additionally, green bricks have better breathability and strong water absorption. Using green bricks to build city walls is more solid."
Upon hearing how useful green bricks are, Zheng Cheng’s eyes sparkled with excitement, "Master, let’s quickly make the green bricks."
"Green bricks are not easy to make; we need to put in some effort." Green bricks are harder to make than red bricks, mainly because green bricks are water-cooled, and water cooling is very troublesome to handle. Red bricks are naturally cooled, making the process much more convenient. "While making green bricks, let’s make red bricks too. Great Zhou favors black, not red, so if we make red bricks, they cannot be used."
Zheng Cheng curiously asked, "Master, are red bricks the same as green bricks?"
"The manufacturing principle is the same, but green bricks are more durable than red bricks." Zhao Yao, in his heart, was grateful that the dream Zhao Yao liked to read, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to make these things. "Red bricks are easier to make than green bricks, so we’ll do both at the same time."
Zheng Cheng, eager and ready, said, "Master, let’s start now."
Zhao Yao nodded slightly and said, "Alright." With the cement made, they needed to make green bricks as soon as possible.
The craftsmen saw Zhao Yao and Zheng Cheng leaving, and they quickly followed. Leaving a group of guards and He Lianfang exchanging glances.
He Lianfang glanced at the Guard Commander and others, instructing, "Clean this up."
"Yes, Mr. He."
He Lianfang further instructed, "Do not reveal a single word of what happened just now."